Note to self: Roads are slippery when wet.
Gray, gloomy and a mist-cum-drizzle situation as I heaved tennis balls around for the dogs this morning. Since it wasn’t cold I decided to go for a ride. I know what’s involved having a Vespa on wet roads. As I backed out of the driveway my boot slipped on a bright yellow maple leaf reminding me of the challenge of wet roads.
Unlike many rides the one this morning had a list — pharmacy, non-specific ride, Vespa dealer for motor oil and filter, and then home. Enough rain had fallen that any superficial oil and grease were washed away and a close eye on the pavement revealed few leaves that could hamper traction but a close eye was required for most of the ride.
Know your surroundings.
While the Vespa on wet roads was my primary focus I was aware of other potential risks. In less than 48 hours these woods will be crawling with deer hunters. Pennsylvania’s two-weekSo firearms season for whitetail deer will see somewhere in the neighborhood of 750,000 hunters in the woods on Monday. Despite wearing a florescent yellow riding jacket, I tend to avoid riding through our state forests for awhile.
The Vespa on wet roads.
Water gathered quickly on the camera while making this photograph but not enough to prove a dangerous soaking. With the temperature steady at 49F during the entire ride managing the traction challenges along with any physical discomfort was simple. Shedding just a bit of normal speed was enough to manage the ride.
So many great roads to ride in central Pennsylvania.
I have so many pictures like this. The “s” shape informs the Scooter in the Sticks logo. Pennsylvania is the land of winding roads. Any ride, whether in the rain or snow or on a sunny day, can provide a myriad challenge to a rider’s skills. Those same challenges work to provide a thrilling ride along with the possible danger. When asked why I ride in less than ideal weather I respond on managing risk and how I enjoy riding too much to stop. But when I think about it — the road in this picture (and many like it) and what it means holds the key to why I ride.
Maybe you have your own reasons why you make decisions to take on added risk.
A road and scenery like that is more than good enough reason for a ride.
There’s a lot calling to me to ride. Things do get in the way though — work, dogs, family, sleep, eating, etc. It’s a hell of a situation.
Wet roads can be “way too interesting” at times…..add some strong winds, the kind where one finds it hard to maintain lane positioning, then its not fun anymore.
Even on three wheels, strong winds in hard rain can become “not that fun” when the wind comes at you from the sidecar’s side…..
Good idea avoiding the woods while hunting season fills them with hunters….besides, even the quiet hum of the Vespa might scare the deer away. Or worse, hunters cause deer to try and escape by crossing a road, right into traffic.
Strong winds are no fun and I avoid them. And when caught in a sudden change I can almost always find a slower, more sheltered route around here.
Deer season, especially the opening two or three days, is like a holiday event in Pennsylvania. It’s a reason or excuse for families, friends and others to gather together. I always thought the hunting was secondary to the social side of hunting. At least that was what I witnessed as a kid when I would hunt with my father and his friends.
That long narrow banner photo in the heading is the nicest one you’ve had in a while.
I’ve been shooting long photos with my ipnhone’s panoramic function. I want to try to print one. They are large files. I’m at Saints Cafe. I have photos in this MAC to show you.
Paul
It always surprises me how far away I have to be from the scooter to get a 200x2000px crop. We can catch up sometime this week to look at photos.
I hate losing time to not riding. Unless it’s freezing or pouring down rain, why not? The world looks different when wet, so has it’s own unique appeal, and I like the challenge of having to be just a bit more careful with friction, or lack thereof.
Friction — that’s the name of the game when it rains. I’m with you in being more careful. Besides, we’re waterproof right?
Just out of interest Steve, what tyre pressures do you use on the Vespa GTS?
Sid
I inflate as the tag in the glove box indicates. 29 on the rear and 26.5 up front. Others have suggested higher rear tire pressures and I’ve experimented but don’t see a difference.